The Upper Room Devotion for Tuesday, November 14, 2023, was written by Carol Round of Oklahoma.
Scripture
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:25-34 NRSV
Author's Thoughts
Checking items off my daily to-do list used to give me a sense of accomplishment and control over my life. But when my 28-year marriage ended, I began to realize I could not control everything. Before then, I hadn't surrendered my life to Christ. I knew of God, but I didn't know God personally.
One day, feeling full of anxiety and fear about my future, I walked to a nearby lake. I sat at a picnic table watching the geese as a cool breeze blew across the lake. It was as if God were speaking to me, wrapping me in an embrace to reassure me of God's love.
For the first time in my life, I prayed aloud. I said, "Please give me some direction, God. I am so lost." A sense of peace came over me. From that moment on, I have continued committing my life to God, trusting that God has a greater plan for me than I could ever imagine. My future no longer feels bleak.
In Matthew 6:33-34, Jesus told his followers to seek first God's kindom and righteousness and not to worry about tomorrow. What a comfort it is to know God is with us and we need not worry.
Thought of the day
Today, I will pause and listen for God's still, small voice
Author's Prayer
Abba Father; when we are overwhelmed with lifes's trials and filled with despair, help us remember your loving presense. Amen.
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